Kamales Lardi, a leading digital transformation expert and CEO of Lardi & Partner Consulting, recently appeared as a guest on That’s Right with guest host Chris Voss. The episode aired on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX network affiliates across the U.S., where Kamales shared her expertise on driving business transformation through technology, human-centric leadership, and neuroscience-backed strategies.

Chris Voss commended Kamales' insights, stating:
"Kamales Lardi brings a unique and powerful perspective to the conversation. Her deep understanding of digital transformation, coupled with her ability to weave the human element into the technology equation, creates a level of insight that’s truly rare."

Humanizing Digital Transformation

During the episode, Kamales emphasized that successful digital transformation goes beyond technology adoption—it requires a shift in organizational culture. She highlighted the importance of fostering a people-first approach, ensuring that both employees and customers benefit from technological advancements.

A Recognized Thought Leader in Digital Transformation

Kamales’ expertise in the field has earned her numerous accolades, including:

• Top 10 Global Thought Leaders in Digital Transformation – Thinkers360
• ‘Voice of a New Era of Leaders’ – Female Factor Leadership: Redefined (August 2024)
• International 40 Over 40 – The World's Most Inspiring Women – Capgemini Invent & Female One Zero (2022)

Goodwill Industries of Dallas has announced the appointment of Alexandra Mazzi as its new Vice President of Marketing. A seasoned marketing executive, Mazzi brings extensive expertise and innovative strategies to help drive the organization's mission and support its continued growth.

With a strong entrepreneurial background, Mazzi has worked with both startups and established enterprises, consistently delivering sustainable success. Her diverse experience in collaborating with forward-thinking organizations makes her a valuable asset to Goodwill Dallas.

Leadership Vision and Organizational Impact

Tim Heis, CEO & President of Goodwill Industries of Dallas, expressed excitement about Mazzi’s appointment, stating:
"We are thrilled to welcome Alexandra to our team at Goodwill Dallas. Her passion for driving positive change, combined with her proven ability to create effective marketing strategies, makes her the perfect fit for our organization. We are confident that her leadership will significantly enhance our outreach and community engagement efforts."

Mazzi’s Role in Driving Growth and Engagement

As Vice President of Marketing, Mazzi will lead all marketing initiatives, developing and executing creative campaigns that promote Goodwill Dallas' mission and strengthen relationships within the local community. Her focus will be on implementing strategies that resonate with the community, fostering empowerment, and supporting sustainable development.

A Future of Growth and Positive Change

Goodwill Industries of Dallas remains committed to enhancing lives through job training, employment services, and community outreach. With Mazzi’s leadership, the organization is positioned for continued growth and impact, reinforcing its mission to create opportunities for individuals and families in need.

Orchest, a leading brand in connectivity and automation, has announced its membership with TM Forum, the global alliance of telco and tech companies, to drive the adoption of automation worldwide. Effective January 2025, Orchest became a service provider member of the TM Forum ecosystem.

As part of this collaboration, Orchest will integrate TM Forum’s OpenAPIs into its automated platform and implement zero-wait concepts from the TM Forum's Autonomous Operations Framework. This will enable companies to achieve full automation using the Orchest Automation platform while leveraging standardized APIs from MEF and TM Forum.

Orchest Expands Global Presence

In Q4 2024, Orchest successfully automated network infrastructure in Indonesia for last-mile quoting, marking its first major success outside Latin America. This achievement was powered by Orchest’s address validation algorithm, reinforcing its ability to drive automation beyond regional boundaries.

Leadership Insights on TM Forum Membership

Jeremy Villalobos, CEO of Orchest, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating:
"Joining TM Forum is an important milestone for Orchest as we continue our automation journey, where standardization is crucial. The TM Forum ecosystem complements our vision and objectives, and we look forward to contributing and supporting the ecosystem to help more companies achieve exceptional levels of efficiency."

George Glass, CTO of TM Forum, welcomed Orchest’s participation, highlighting its alignment with the Forum’s mission:
"We are delighted to welcome Orchest to TM Forum at a pivotal moment for the telecom industry. As automation becomes a cornerstone of transformation, Orchest’s expertise aligns with our mission to drive open, interoperable, and AI-powered networks. Their commitment to integrating Open APIs and advancing autonomous operations will help accelerate industry-wide efficiency and innovation, supporting our collective goal of a more agile, customer-centric digital ecosystem that unlocks growth in both value and purpose."

Transforming Telecom Through Automation

With a mission to revolutionize the telecom industry, Orchest Automation offers a customer-centric platform to address industry challenges such as lengthy response times in commercial interactions and outdated, manual processes that hinder customer experiences.

Orchest’s solutions include:

• Network Quoting Tool
• Installation Tracker
• Service Inventory
• Business Intelligence
• Tech Support Management
• E-Commerce Capabilities
• Network Geo-Visualization
• API Enablement & Management
• ERP and CRM Deployment
• Billing & Invoicing Control

By integrating with TM Forum’s OpenAPIs and Autonomous Operations Framework, Orchest aims to accelerate automation adoption globally, supporting telecom providers in delivering faster, smarter, and more efficient digital experiences.

AI is a dominant topic in supply chain conversations, but businesses struggle to differentiate between hype and real value. AutoScheduler.AI, a leading Warehouse Orchestration Platform and WMS accelerator, is hosting a LinkedIn Live Event to provide clarity. CEO Keith Moore will break down AI concepts, use cases, and business impact in a no-nonsense session.

Event Details:

• Date: February 27, 2025
• Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
• Presenter: Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI

Topics Covered:

Understanding AI in Supply Chain

• The difference between DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Machine Learning, and “Proprietary Algorithms”
• Cutting through the jargon to understand what’s real and what’s not

AI Applications in Supply Chain Operations

• Role of AI in warehousing, transportation, procurement, and demand planning
• How leading companies are leveraging AI for operational efficiency

Delivering Business Value with AI

• Real-world success stories of AI implementation
• Measuring ROI and the tangible impact of AI on supply chain performance

Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI, is an expert in warehousing technology, working with top consumer goods, beverage, and distribution companies. He has received numerous industry accolades and holds patents in neural architecture search and supply chain planning. His work has been featured in SupplyChainBrain, Inbound Logistics, and more.

AI in supply chain management can be transformative, but only when understood and applied correctly. Join Keith Moore in this insightful LinkedIn Live session to separate AI reality from buzzwords and explore its real-world business benefits.

2X, a leader in Marketing-as-a-Service (MaaS), has announced a strategic partnership with Copy.ai, an enterprise-grade AI platform optimizing sales and marketing workflows. This collaboration integrates AI-powered automation with 2X’s global managed services model, offering businesses an alternative to in-house teams and high agency costs while driving measurable ROI.

Highlights of the Partnership:

Revolutionizing B2B Marketing with AI

• 2X generates over 66% of its revenue through AI-driven strategies
• Copy.ai enhances automation across marketing, sales, and customer success
• Businesses achieve sustainable growth, efficiency, and cost savings

Transforming GTM Models with People, Process, and Technology

• Shift from traditional staffing to AI-driven offshore delivery models
• Every 2X delivery resource is equipped with Copy.ai for optimized workflows
• AI-powered automation enables scalable, cost-effective marketing impact

AI-Powered Solutions for Marketing and Sales Workflows

• End-to-End Workflow Automation: From content creation to campaign execution and sales enablement
• Enhanced Productivity: AI-driven efficiencies free teams to focus on strategic priorities
• Superior Client Outcomes: Measurable ROI, increased pipeline impact, and improved performance

Eliminating Go-to-Market Inefficiencies

• Addressing GTM bloat by automating workflows and reducing operational costs
• Removing fragmented tools and data challenges to enhance scalability
• Helping businesses achieve multimillion-dollar returns with AI-driven efficiencies

Executive Insights:

• Domenic Colasante, CEO of 2X: "Our partnership with Copy.ai enables us to drive tangible business outcomes—from revenue growth to operational efficiency—empowering CMOs and revenue leaders."
• Lisa Cole, CMO of 2X: "By uniting offshore delivery with AI, we provide an efficient, scalable model that supports cost-effective business growth."
• Paul Yacoubian, CEO of Copy.ai: "Copy.ai automates workflows, eliminates inefficiencies, and drives high-impact GTM strategies, making our collaboration with 2X a perfect fit."

The 2X and Copy.ai partnership marks a major step in AI-driven marketing transformation. By integrating AI-powered automation with a global managed services model, businesses can enhance efficiency, optimize workflows, and achieve scalable growth.

As brands expand internationally, they face the challenge of balancing global consistency with local adaptation. A recent article by branding consultancy Human Centric Group explores how leading brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Unilever successfully navigate this complexity through strategic global-local (gLocal) branding.

The Role of Cultural Intelligence in Branding

Understanding Local Consumer Behavior

• Shopping habits, advertising preferences, and cultural values differ by market
• Brands that align with local consumer psychology build stronger loyalty

Beyond Translation: The Power of Adaptation

• Success in new markets requires more than translating ads—it’s about understanding why consumers buy
• Adapting messaging, visuals, and product offerings strengthens brand relevance

Three Levels of gLocal Branding Strategy

One Message, Many Languages

• A single global campaign is translated for different regions
• Ideal for brands seeking a strong, uniform identity across markets

Same Story, Local Flavor

• A universal storyline is maintained, but visuals and cultural elements are tailored
• Creates familiarity while respecting local traditions and values

Global Concept, Local Storytelling

• A central brand theme is adapted to fit specific market nuances
• Ensures deep cultural connection while preserving brand essence

Why gLocal Branding Matters for Global Brands

Avoiding Cultural Misalignment

• Brands that don’t localize risk appearing foreign and disconnected
• Investing in cultural intelligence fosters consumer trust and engagement

Succeeding in Culturally Diverse Markets

• Countries like Turkey, Brazil, and India require a nuanced blend of modernity and tradition
• Effective gLocal strategies drive deeper market penetration and brand loyalty

Global expansion requires a strategic balance between consistency and localization. By leveraging cultural intelligence and a structured gLocal branding approach, businesses can maximize relevance, trust, and long-term success in diverse markets.

Adidas, a leading sportswear brand in Israel, is revolutionizing its in-store and omnichannel customer experience through a strategic partnership with Pairzon. By integrating Pairzon’s AI-driven technology into its CRM, POS, and loyalty systems, adidas is gaining deeper insights into customer behavior, optimizing engagement, and improving marketing efficiency.

Benefits of the Partnership:

Enhanced Customer Insights

• Greater visibility into customer behavior patterns
• Personalized in-store experiences based on data-driven analysis

Improved Omnichannel Engagement

• Seamless integration between digital marketing and physical retail
• Strengthened customer relationships and increased store visits

Optimized Marketing Performance

• Clear measurement of digital marketing impact on in-store sales
• Data-driven decision-making for more effective campaign strategies

Driving Retail Innovation with Data-Driven Strategies

By leveraging AI-powered insights, adidas is transforming how it connects with customers across multiple touchpoints. This initiative aligns with its broader digital transformation goals, ensuring a seamless shopping experience across all channels.

Gal Rosenblum, GM of adidas franchise partner Electra, stated:

"Working with Pairzon has given us valuable insights into how our digital strategies influence in-store experiences. This allows us to create even better shopping experiences for our customers."

The adidas-Pairzon partnership highlights the growing role of AI and data analytics in retail. By embracing intelligent technology solutions, adidas continues to elevate customer engagement, drive store traffic, and enhance brand loyalty.

As e-commerce continues to grow, so do consumer expectations for accurate product information. A new survey from Akeneo, a leader in Product Information Management (PIM), reveals that 62% of consumers believe better product details would reduce their likelihood of making a return. The study highlights how misleading descriptions, sizing issues, and poor product imagery contribute to returns, impacting both profitability and sustainability efforts.

Findings from the Survey

The Impact of Product Information on Returns

• 59% of consumers have returned a product due to misleading online descriptions.
• 34% cite inaccurate product images as a key reason for returning purchases.
• 29% state incorrect product details influenced their decision to return an item.

Consumer Behavior & Sustainability Awareness

• 65% of shoppers returned or exchanged a holiday purchase in 2024.
• 68% of consumers are aware of the environmental impact of returns.
• 39% factor sustainability into their decision to return products.

How Brands Can Improve the Product Experience

• 60% of respondents avoid brands with complicated return policies.
• Millennials and Gen-Z are more likely to buy multiple sizes, intending to return some.
• 44% of shoppers prefer brands with ethical and sustainable return policies.

Why Investing in Product Experience Matters

According to Romain Fouache, CEO of Akeneo, brands that prioritize accurate, consistent product data across e-commerce platforms can significantly reduce returns, enhance trust, and increase customer loyalty. Investing in high-quality product information is not just a strategy for sustainability but also a driver for long-term profitability and customer satisfaction.

Returns remain a challenge for e-commerce businesses, but better product information, clear imagery, and consistent data can improve the customer experience (CX) while minimizing financial and environmental costs. Brands that invest in PIM solutions like Akeneo can ensure higher customer satisfaction, reduced return rates, and stronger brand loyalty.